Marvin Lovejoy, owner and operator of International T-shirts in Detroit, Michigan has found profitable revenue stream by offering Rest In Peace memorial T-shirts for family and friends who have lost a loved one due to the high violent crime in Detroit. Lovejoy initially got into the T-shirt business to do family reunions, schools and churches, but has found that R.I.P. T-shirts make up 85% of his orders. The T-shirts show a photo of the person, nickname their birth date, date they died. The T-shirts are worn at funerals, vigils and demonstrations.
Sadly, its a daily occurrence, and too often people are coming in hourly to request R.I.P. T-shirts for a loved one who has died. Lovejoy notes the murder rate is increasing daily. While its good for business, he doesn't see the violence reducing any time in the foreseeable future. (CBS NEWS)
This is truly sad. A T-shirt can't begin to replace the life of someone murdered, but Lovejoy has found a niche, albeit a somber one, to help people grieve, and make a living for himself.
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